Euro 2008

[pineapple stu]

They've half their team out for the Germany game; think that'll be too much for them.

[Kingdom]

The thing is they are doing all of this with a weaker keeper. Igor Akinfeev is a good young goalie but a bit erratic, Vach Malafeev (at Zenit) is in the squad and is a more reliable keeper. I guess Hiddink is trying to give Akinfeev more experience ahead of the world cup qualifiers but Malafeev is only 29, so personally I'd start with him.

Also they are missing their key striker, Pavel Pogrebnyak. This guy is a great striker, he's got a huge frame and giant physical presence, but he has superb control and deadly finishing. He actually takes free kicks for Russia and Zenit sometimes (which would be like Niall Quinn taking free kicks for us back in the 1990s). Him, Zyrianov, Arshavin, Anyukov all play for Zenit and all link up really well. Arshavin will basically make runs all over the oppositions half, down either flank, or running diagonally from the flank into the box, or just running down the center. Zyrianov usually runs from the center into the middle and Anyukov only down the flank. All these players link really well with Pogrebnyak and with Pavluchenko the link up isn't quite as good.

Russia play Germany in Dortmund on 11th October (I think) and that match will go a long way to deciding which team wins the world cup qual. group.

Edmundo, I'm not convinced you know enough about Russian football, I think you need to watch a bit more
Fair play your analysis has been brilliant.

[osarusan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/euro2008/...rent_here.html

A rather biased article on the BBC.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure England's qualifying failure provided a rich amount of schadenfreude for plenty of people across all corners of Europe.

And I have a definite hunch that, although they would never admit it publicly, some of the authorities who had in organising the tournament were relieved when England lost to Croatia on that sodden Wembley night.

But what has really struck me out here is the genuine affection and regard in which people from all across Europe hold the English and their national team.

[stojkovic]

I put a tenner on Turkey @ 66/1 before the tournament started! Come on Turkey!!!

Put a tenner on Turkey to win on penos last night, 9/1.

[OwlsFan]

Funny we hear all these people with bets that succeed and yet not too many bookies go out of business

Well done to Turkey. Would hate to be waking up a Croatian supporter this am unless beside that one with the tight hot pants in totty watch, even then I am not sure if it would kill the pain.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...0806210254.jpg

[rambler14]

Fantastic performence by the Russians. I had Holland down to win it but christ the Russians are good.

Yer man Arshavin is the best player i've seen in a long time. I hope Alex Ferguson was watching the match because he would be a superstar!

[shakermaker1982]

If Fergie has any sense he'll sell Ronaldo for 80 million and buy Arshavin for a quarter of the price!!! Outstanding performance. Van Persie was muck.

[strangeirish]

Great football by the Russians. That number 10 Arshavin, is some player. Another really enjoyable game. Great tournament so far.

[Closed Account 2]

OH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EES!!! What a game!! What a team, what a player!!!

They play such great football!! Beautiful!!!!

Большое спасибо!!!

[rambler14]

This guy Arshavin is top quality and after tonights performence he's the hottest property in World Football. A genius on the ball and he runs the show on his own. I would love to see him at Man Utd sooner rather than later.

If I was Sir Alex i'd be on the phone to Zenit immediatley asking how much!


In the words of Chris Kamara.........ARSHAVIN............Unbelievable Jeff!

[Marked Man]

Haven't actually been too impressed with the tournament so far, but today's game was a cracker. Great performance by Arshavin.

[Closed Account 2]

Edmundo, I'm not convinced you know enough about Russian football, I think you need to watch a bit more
Fair play your analysis has been brilliant.

Thanks, if anyone needs a sports journalist / researcher on Eastern European or Latin American football let me know!

[Noelys Guitar]

I fancy Russia to win. A Russia v Italy final.

I made this prediction before the tourny started. I have Russia at 12/1 and Italy at 7/1. OK so I got the group thing mixed up but I fancy the Italian's to beat the Spanish tomorrow whch would leave me with a team in the final guaranteed.

[tetsujin1979]

After miracles with South Korea and Australia, Hiddink does it again with Russia. Russia just didn't play good football, they played attractive, attacking, controlled football. Truly, one of the great coaches of our time.

[OwlsFan]

After miracles with South Korea and Australia, Hiddink does it again with Russia. Russia just didn't play good football, they played attractive, attacking, controlled football. Truly, one of the great coaches of our time.

Scolari was condemned/jeered by the creature for being unable to coach a team how to defend at set pieces. This flaw was of course ignored in Hiddink's Russia by it, the same person who jeered the Russians after their first game and called them a "team with no spirit". Leopards and spots as usual.

As ever, the teams that start off well in groups and rest players in the 3rd game, find it hard to come back to the boil. Seen it happen so often but time and time again it happens but managers continue to rest players.

Can Spain be the exception?

[sligofan4ever]

I remember at the Sligo Rovers game tonight they said the update was 1-1 at full time (normal time) but when i got home and turned on the TV I couldnt beleive my eyes when i seen Russia beating Holland 3-1 I was full sure Hollland were going to go on win the whole thing.

[Noelys Guitar]

The 3 best "footballing" tournaments for me have been the 1970 world Cup. 1984 euro's and this current one. Its great watching teams like Turkey, Russia and Croatia playing fast, slow, one touch, two touch football.

[jmurphyc]

I'm not sure whether it's true but it's rumoured that Arshavin has a minimum release fee of somewhere between 10 and 15 million (pounds). For that amount of money he looks like he'll be a great signing for someone should he leave Zenit.

[stojkovic]

The 3 best "footballing" tournaments for me have been the 1970 world Cup. 1984 euro's and this current one. Its great watching teams like Turkey, Russia and Croatia playing fast, slow, one touch, two touch football.

Totally agree but would be tempted to add WC86 and Euro2000.

[TonyD]

Scolari was condemned/jeered by the creature for being unable to coach a team how to defend at set pieces. This flaw was of course ignored in Hiddink's Russia by it, the same person who jeered the Russians after their first game and called them a "team with no spirit". Leopards and spots as usual.

As ever, the teams that start off well in groups and rest players in the 3rd game, find it hard to come back to the boil. Seen it happen so often but time and time again it happens but managers continue to rest players.

Can Spain be the exception?

I just posted this same point on the RTE thread. Agree absolutely. BTW the same "It" wrote in his column in the star that the only 3 contenders were Holland, Croatia and Spain. Two down so far.

Nevertheless, despite that, I hope Spain do it. I'd love to see them win the tournament.